A BIRMINGHAM Labour MP today fired a broadside at the Government over its failure to rein in the energy companies.

A BIRMINGHAM Labour MP today fired a broadside at the Government over its failure to rein in the energy companies.

Selly Oak MP Dr Lynne Jones also called on power watchdog Ofgem to make sure the key power players do not cash in on the price explosion.

Her warnings came after Powergen's controversial announcement yesterday that gas bills will soar by 18.4 per cent.

The rise follows hot on the heels of similar increases from other firms, including British Gas and npower.

Dr Jones said the Government needed to do more to educate and encourage energy efficiency as well as closely monitoring the suppliers.

The latest rise will take an average Powergen gas bill to £644, which means it has risen £333, or 107.5 per cent, since 2003. Electricity prices have also soared by £151, or 62.1 per cent.

Dr Jones said: "It is inevitable with the cost of raw materials going up that companies will put up their prices. And if one puts them up then another will put theirs up in line with that. "Ofgem need to make sure that companies are

not profiteering out of this. The Government needs to help people reduce energy consumption. If people can use less energy, bills can be kept down and we can help the environment at the same time."

But she called on the Government to do more to help poor and elderly people who face a miserable cold winter because of the price rises.

"As a member of the environment committee I would like to see the Government ensure people live in energy efficient homes and that is where we ought to be targeting our resources," she said.

Adam Scorer, energy-watch director of campaign, said: "Changing the way you pay for energy and eliminating wasted energy can take some of the sting out of price rises."